Interviewing a new Clinician

In last week's installment, we shared eight questions to ask yourself to be prepared for getting mental health help.

This week, let's share six basic questions to use when interviewing a potential coach or therapist.

It might feel awkward to ask these questions; but remember that you are the leader of this relationship.

You are interviewing the clinician to see if s/he can meet your needs. 

1. What clientele do you service?
   • Clinicians specialize in different populations. This will help you find out if this clinican is right for you.
2. What modalities are you trained in?
   • If there is a specific modality that you worked well with, this will help you know if the clinician is skilled in this modality. 
3. Do you have a supervisor/ how often do you speak with your supervisor?
   • All good clinicians have supervision where they get guidance how to best help their clients. A clinician who doesn't have a supervisor is someone to be wary of. 
4. Is there any type of client that you feel you can't help? 
   • There are times that clinicians will not work with specific challenges. Save time by asking from the outset what they feel they can not do.
5. What would you do if you feel stuck when working with a client? 
   • All clinicians get stuck sometimes. What they do with that will give you a sense how s/he will help you, even when getting stuck. 
6. How much do you charge/ do you take insurance/ do you do a sliding scale? 

More than the exact details of the clinician's answer, check how their response makes you feel.

Are you treated with respect? Does the therapist respond with patience? Are your concerns taken seriously? 

Therapy is a relationship of equals. You may feel uncomfortable asking these questions, but a good clinician will be happy to answer these questions and any other questions you may have. 

Here's to a successful start of help and hope!

• Life purpose and meaning
• Trauma
• Trauma Focused Therapy